Headline and Hachette Books Ireland land two Rachael English novels

Headline and Hachette Books Ireland (HBI) have announced the joint acquisition of two books by Irish author Rachael English.

Headline and Hachette Books Ireland (HBI) have announced the joint acquisition of two books by Irish author Rachael English.

Ciara Considine at HBI and Sherise Hobbs at Headline struck the deal with Robert Kirby at United Agents for world English language rights. The first book The Bracelet will be published in 2020, first in trade paperback and ebook by HBI. Headline will publish in ebook and paperback original.

English said the novel told a story “close to my heart”. She said: “It's about the lives of women in mother-and-baby homes and how what happened then continues to have consequences today. I'm delighted it has found such a great home.”

English, also a broadcaster, has written four novels including The American Girl (HBI) which was a number one bestseller in Ireland.

Hobbs said: “I’ve long been an admirer of Rachael’s storytelling and I leapt at the opportunity to come alongside Ciara and acquire her new novel. The Bracelet is a gripping, moving page-turner inspired by fascinating real events. I know readers everywhere will lose their hearts to this beautiful novel.”

“Rachael is a treasured author whose fiction is loved for its warmth, identifiable characters and compelling storylines,” Considine said. “We’re pleased to join forces with Headline to extend Rachael’s market reach, knowing the joys that readers far and wide have in store from this writer with a special gift for storytelling in the Maeve Binchy tradition.”